By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced on Thursday the development of a new phone app to help members of law enforcement be more culturally sensitive when they have interactions with any of 12 ethnic and religious groups.
The dozen groups include 1) African American Youth; Asian; Chaldean; East African/ Somali; East African/ Somali Youth; Karen/ Karenni (from Burma); Latinx Youth; Mexican and Mexican American; Muslim; Native Americans, Samoans, and Vietnamese.
It was not deemed necessary to include Jews among the groups, but I think this was a mistake.
By clicking on the name of any of the groups, a drop-down menu will come up telling law enforcement about that group’s traditions and beliefs; greetings; what to do when visiting their households in non-emergency situations, and what that group’s previous experiences with law enforcement have been like.
For example, under traditions and beliefs for Chaldeans, who have a large community in El Cajon, the app says that”they are Christians whose ancestors can be traced as far back to ancient Mesopotamia.”
For East African/ Somali Youth, who the app differentiates from adults from the same culture, it says under greetings “Youth often do not engage in direct eye contact, as it is considered a sign of disrespect.” Also, the app advises, “Be aware of respecting peersonal body space. Stand a few steps away.”
In preparation for visiting a Muslim home, law enforcement officers are told “the eldest male is considered the head of the household. Typically, a male will answer the door. The head of household may ask his wife or his daughters to cover and put on their full dress and hijab.” The app also notes, “Some Muslim cultures feel discomfort around dogs and may not appreciate them entering their homes.”
Concerning Samoans’ experiences with law enforcement, the app says: “Samoan people often feel that law enforcement officers are intimidated by their size. Do not make assumptions about age or maturity based on size. Ask for age.”
The preceding is just a sample of the advice given to law enforcement officers by the app. There are many more instructions and observations in each category.
So, how might a similar app help law enforcement officers? Well here are some thoughts just off the top of my head. I’m certain a round-table of Jewish community members would come up with others.
Under traditions and beliefs, the app might explain that within our community there is a wide range of beliefs and practices ranging from secular or humanistic to Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Modern Orthodox and Chasidic. For the latter two categories, it might be important to tell officers that members of opposite genders traditionally do not shake hands or otherwise touch unless they are members of the same family.
Under visiting households, the app might note that a mezuzah on the doorpost will indicate that a Jewish family resides within. It might also note that Jews are likely to offer food and drink to visitors as a way to honor our guests.
Under experiences with law enforcement, officers might be interested to know that the Jewish community has a proud history of leadership within the law enforcement community. For example, two San Diego police chiefs–Bill Kolender and Shelly Zimmerman–came from the Jewish community. Kolender also served as the San Diego County Sheriff. District Attorney Summers’ predecessor, Bonnie Dumanis, is a member of the Jewish community. A former U.S. Attorney, Alan Bersin, also is a member of the Jewish community. The list goes on.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com